Jersey star up to 7 offers

Jamie Trescavage

10/09/2003

Willingboro HS offensive/defensive lineman <b>Ell Ash</b> had an All-South Jersey junior season. Have teams been challenging him this season? Who are his favorite schools? Do the Nittany Lions still appear on his list?

After an All-South Jersey junior season, it's no surprise that high schools
would do anything to avoid your side off of the field. Such is the
case with Willingboro, Nj. (Willingboro HS) defensive lineman/offensive
lineman Ell Ash. Through four games this year, the senior has only
fourteen tackles and just one sack from his defensive end position due to
a barrage of double and triple teams.

Also an excellent offensive lineman, Ell has a definite favorite position
for the next level if he could choose.

"Yeah d-end, but if I had to, I'd play offense. It isn't that bad,"
admitted Ell, who also has a favorite offensive position. "Probably tackle--that's
where I played last year. This year I play guard because they needed
somebody who could pull."

According to Ell, the majority of interest he has gotten from schools has
been for the offensive side of the ball. During the summer, LionNews
spoke to Ell's coach, Nelson Hayspell, who stated that Ell had either received
or expected offers from Penn State, Virginia, Boston College, Maryland, and
South Carolina.

"I've got a couple letters, but I haven't heard from them in a while," said
Ell.

Have the Nittany Lions called him in recent past?

"Nah. Well a while ago, like last month (September)," Ell said, continuing
that the Penn State coaches told him they were still in the evaluation faze
of his recruitment. "They said they take a while to offer people. They
take it slow before they offer."

Ell, who has not set up any of his official visit yet, has been to see Penn
State, Ohio State, North Carolina, and Virginia on unofficial visits last
spring and summer. Does he have any favorites that have popped out
in front of the rest of the pack?

"Clemson and I still like Penn State and Virginia. I like Miami (Fl.)
and Tennessee. North Carolina State too," said Ell, who admitted the
Tigers, Volunteers, and Wolf Pack lead because of their consistent contact
with him.

Despite the infrequency of their contact, the Nittany Lions still are relatively
high on Ell's list because of their blend of athletics and academics.

"I like their education and they can have a pretty good football team. And
a degree from there can mean a real good job if you don't make it to the
NFL," admitted Ell, who has qualified with a 970 SAT and 3.57 gpa. "A
good business major and a good football program. That's what I'm looking
for."